So Ive been looking around for a while and I have my eyes set on a 2004 Saturn Vue V6 AWD with 88,000 miles on it. Clean Carfax report with only 1 owner.

Its being sold by a used dealership out of Celina OH, and from what I could find they seem to have happy customers.

They are currently asking $7,495 and claim to have no known issues with the car and guarantee it has passed a 56 point inspection.

This specific make and model have great reliability and safety ratings according to cars.com and edmunds.com

Thoughts?

Trader Joe

02-22-2012, 02:22 PM

I'd always be hesitant to buy a car of a brand that is out of business. With GM it is less of a concern because so many of their cars are interchangeable, but still something to think about.

LetsTalkPacers

02-22-2012, 02:25 PM

At the risk of sounding dumb. Whats the big concern of them being out of business? Parts, or is their something more too it.

I only ask because your the 2nd person to tell me that. I just assumed since it was a GMC then all would be ok.

travmil

02-22-2012, 02:48 PM

You won't need to worry about any engine parts. Starting in 2004 Saturn actually had Honda engines and transmissions in the Vue. Honda produced this engine for their own models as well, meaning that they are currently in MILLIONS of cars and are still being serviced by Honda and GM. As far as the rest of the parts, the Vue is a GM Theta Platform vehicle which also includes the Chevy Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. GM is also widely known for using their parts across MANY platforms and MANY years. I once went to replace my dad's water pump on his 1989 Chevy Silverado. It was the exact same pump I bought to replace on my 2006 Silverado. I guarantee you that other GM vehicles use nearly every part you will ever need. You might have trouble tracking down body panels if you get in a wreck, but mechanically you should have absolutley no trouble getting parts. I would try to talk them off of that price though. Our van is a year newer and had less miles and we paid less for it than that two years ago. I'd tell them you're more comfortable at $6800 and let them meet you somwehere in the middle.

BTW, we have a 2006 Saturn Relay minivan. I have nothing but good things to say about that car.

Sparhawk

02-22-2012, 02:56 PM

I just paid off my G5 Pontiac, but when I heard Pontiac was going out of business, I tried to trade it in. The dealership wouldn't give me **** for it.

With that in mind, I don't know how they can charge so much for a vehicle that the brand is out of business. Not logical that they won't give you anything for it, but they'll charge the normal amount. Bull-****.

Sparhawk

02-22-2012, 02:57 PM

At the risk of sounding dumb. Whats the big concern of them being out of business? Parts, or is their something more too it.

I only ask because your the 2nd person to tell me that. I just assumed since it was a GMC then all would be ok.

I wouldn't mainly cause the resale value is nothing. If you don't care about that, then I wouldn't see why not.

I don't know if you get in a wreck or need a certain part, then it could take longer to get. I'm not 100% sure if that is the case though.

travmil those were my main concerns, so thats a relief. Also you said offer about $6850. So do you think around $7150 out the door after taxes and fees would be a fair price for both sides?

ive heard good things about the equinox but its just out of my price range. Im using cash from a settlement and $7500 would put me all in and the cheapest ive found before taxes and fees is right around $8000

travmil

02-22-2012, 06:43 PM

Well, first I would price out the vehicle with all options on edmunds.com or kbb.com to get an idea what dealer retail should be. I just think $7500 sounds a bit too high for that car. Keep in mind, I don't know the options, if it's loaded with all options, it could come in about that price. There's no reason you shouldn't be able to get them off of that price by a few hundred though, especially if you are paying cash.

LetsTalkPacers

02-22-2012, 08:23 PM

Thanks everybody for your info. I think Im going to go look at it on Friday. Im taking my two good buddies. One used to sell used cars, and then kielbeze knows the mechanical side of things.

So hopefully with your info and my crack shot team, I will come home with a good reliable SUV at a good price.

Thanks again!

Trader Joe

02-23-2012, 08:09 AM

Sounds like you'll be fine to me. The fact that it is a GM car makes the fact that the specific brand is no longer in business not nearly as a big of a deal, but I just wanted to make sure you were considering all possibilities. Buying a new car is always fun, so have fun, and don't be afraid to play hard ball. You'd be amazed what the simple threat of walking out of the dealer can accomplish.

Dgreenwell3

02-23-2012, 08:19 AM

May I reccomend a Honda?

travmil

02-23-2012, 09:24 AM

You'd be amazed what the simple threat of walking out of the dealer can accomplish.

I basically got $4500 off on a brand new car by doing this.

RWB

02-23-2012, 12:11 PM

Don't forget to check the local banks for any repos. Yeah you got to be careful because sometimes folks have ran them hard and sometimes the economy just sadly bit someone in the butt.

indygeezer

02-23-2012, 12:18 PM

Dern and I just traded in my F-150 SuperCrew Cab. 121,000 and running like a sewing machine. (ew, does anybody even know what those are anymore?)

RWB

02-23-2012, 12:32 PM

So is the question do we know what (Dern) means, what a SuperCrew cab is, or what is a sewing machine?

ilive4sports

02-23-2012, 02:47 PM

I basically got $4500 off on a brand new car by doing this.

Yeah dont be afraid to play hardball. They want to sell you that car more than you want to buy it.

travmil

02-24-2012, 07:11 PM

Did you go look at it?

LetsTalkPacers

02-24-2012, 07:53 PM

no, we decided to reschedule for Saturday if its nicer out.

Trader Joe

02-24-2012, 11:55 PM

Bad weather days are great days to buy cars.

travmil

02-25-2012, 09:42 AM

TJ is right. You want to go look at a car when NOBODY else is looking.

LetsTalkPacers

02-25-2012, 11:43 PM

So we went in and test drove it, got to see all carfax and service records. I asked if they could do $7000, he said no that they had too much in it and they have a no hassle price so sticker price is custom.

He said after fees and taxes it would be $8265. I told him that I got the money in a settlement and what I had iss my all in offer. He asked how much was that? I told him I had $7000 in my pocket. He said whoa you wanted it for $7000 BEFORE taxes and fees? I said thats the best I could do and I would understand if they couldnt do it. He said well Ill be back. He came back and said well since your paying cash we can do that. HOWEVER we would have to sell it as is and remove the 30 day 1000mile warranty, and that doesnt include the additional 1% Indiana sales tax that I still have to pay when I get my plates. So I called on my crack shot team. Tyler(car salesman) said doesnt see why the warrant would matter but to do it. Kielbeze(the grease monkey) said if it test drove well, and all seems fine, and if for any issues come up he would repair for me.

So we did it, and Im very happy with the car. Was even better than I thought.

With that said. On they way home I noticed the cruise control wasnt working. Then my dad notcied the front struts might need replaced soon. Then kielbeze said that the struts do need replaced soon, but he could repair and parts would only cost $120 total. So we have that going, and Kielbeze fixed the cruise by replacing the fuse. So for $7185(car+IN tax+repairs) I got what Kielbeze said was a hell of a deal. Now Im off to ebay to buy Indiana Pacers Automotive accessories.

THANKS!!!! again everyone.

Trader Joe

02-26-2012, 12:33 AM

Paying cash will definitely close a deal. Congrats

travmil

02-26-2012, 09:18 AM

Sounds good. Enjoy the new ride!

Sparhawk

02-26-2012, 10:15 AM

Congrats!

I must be the only person who doesn't use cruise.

graphic-er

02-27-2012, 12:45 AM

Guess that 56 point inspection didn't include cruise control or suspension problems. LOL.

Did you test the CD player? CD Players on saturns are notorious for not working.

ilive4sports

02-27-2012, 02:03 AM

Congrats!

I must be the only person who doesn't use cruise.

I hate not having cruise control in the mustang. I can't imagine doing my cross country trip without it. Drove down to LA in the mustang rather than my car and ugh, that sucked.

SycamoreKen

02-27-2012, 09:22 PM

I hate not having cruise control in the mustang. I can't imagine doing my cross country trip without it. Drove down to LA in the mustang rather than my car and ugh, that sucked.

This is when you actually need cruise control. I wish the idiots I get behind going to work wouldn't use theirs just because they are on a "highway" for 20 minutes of their drive.

LetsTalkPacers

02-28-2012, 11:41 AM

This is when you actually need cruise control. I wish the idiots I get behind going to work wouldn't use theirs just because they are on a "highway" for 20 minutes of their drive.
you would hate me. im always setting my cruise on the highway for the exact speed limit. i stay in the right lane unless i have to pass.

dal9

02-29-2012, 07:09 PM

Guess that 56 point inspection didn't include cruise control or suspension problems. LOL.

Shoulda asked for the 58 point inspection.

graphic-er

03-01-2012, 12:23 PM

Shoulda asked for the 58 point inspection.

I doubt it received even a 10 point inspection.

Have you ever taken a car to some place that offers a 26 point inspection with the the oil change. They don't check jack ****.

Sparhawk

03-01-2012, 01:40 PM

This is when you actually need cruise control. I wish the idiots I get behind going to work wouldn't use theirs just because they are on a "highway" for 20 minutes of their drive.